Consignment's new clientele

Consignment's new clientele

Meghan V. Malloy. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Washington: Sep 14, 2008.

Abstract (Summary)
Sep. 14--Area consignment and resale clothing store owners are seeing an increase in the sales,
and believe a tough economy is only going to continue boosting sales. Milazzo does not run a consignment shop like Hilton and Lemelin-Lastella; rather, hers is a resale store where people are given cash on the spot for their gently used children's clothing, rather than waiting for their cash after their items are sold, as a consignment shop works.

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Sep. 14--Area consignment and resale clothing store owners are seeing an increase in the sales, and believe a tough economy is only going to continue boosting sales.

Jennifer Lemelin-Lastella, of Sidney, said August was her busiest month, as families tried to shop for the school year on a tight budget. Her store, Luv Bugs, in Augusta, sells consignment clothing and accessories from newborn to size 16.

It was Lemelin-Lastella's first back-to-school season, as she opened Luv Bugs in March.

"Parents were looking for those back-to-school basics, like a pair of jeans, but were reluctant to spend $30 on a pair," Lemelin-Lastella said. "They come here and those kinds of things are affordable."

Melanie Milazzo, of Hallowell, has been in business for almost two weeks. Her Farmingdale store, Back on the Rack, sells clothing for children ranging from newborn to size six. She also sells items from baby cribs and bassinets to dollhouses and sleds.

"I have a six-year-old and a one-year-old at home and I know how quickly kids outgrow clothing, especially when they're young," Milazzo said. "You don't want to just throw those clothes away because they were barely worn, and it'd be nice sell them and make a little money.

"I thought to myself, 'That would be a nice business.'"

While the slow economy was not the reason Milazzo decided to open her resale store on Maine Avenue, she said it certainly isn't hurting business.

"People want to dress their children decently, but they might not be able to run up to the Gap and spend $30 on a pair of jeans for one child," Milazzo said. "Some people just can't afford to do that anymore. And with this winter that we're supposed to have coming, just forget it."

Heidi Hilton, who owns Raggamuffins, a consignment shop with locations in Gardiner, Topsham, Auburn and Lewiston, said the boost in sales this year isn't what has surprised her: it's the clientele.

"This year for back to school we saw a lot of people that one may think wouldn't regularly shop at a consignment clothing store," Hilton said. Her stores sell clothing for babies, children, teens and adults.

She also saw an increase in teenage customers, a group that typically does not "buy from a consignment store and we have seen several this year already."

Milazzo does not run a consignment shop like Hilton and Lemelin-Lastella; rather, hers is a resale store where people are given cash on the spot for their gently used children's clothing, rather than waiting for their cash after their items are sold, as a consignment shop works.

"I think being a resale store helps people out, too," Milazzo said. "People are able to get cash for what they need immediately in exchange for the clothing they bring in."

All three women think sales in the consignment and resale business will continue to grow as Mainers will spend more on heating their homes this winter.

"I've already started selling winter jackets and snow suits," Lemelin-Lastella said.

Because of the spike in revenue and people interested in becoming consignment shoppers, Hilton is moving her Gardiner location of Raggamuffins across the street to a store that is twice as big as her current one.

The new store is expected to open Oct. 1, Hilton said.
In Milazzo's case, customers are also getting a head start on holiday shopping.
In Milazzo's case, customers are also getting a head start on holiday shopping.

"It's September and people have come in to do early Christmas shopping," she said. "I think this is a nice option because they can afford to buy several different gifts for their kids, and the clothes and toys are practically new."